World No. 1 chess player has taken a fresh jibe at reigning world champion D. Gukesh after Day 1 of the SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz 2025.
The 19-year-old Gukesh is in joint lead with points along with Magnus Carlsen, Wesley So, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.
Speaking to Take Take Take, Magnus praised R. Praggnanandhaa and said Gukesh has improved but he is not impressed by any of the young Indian talent yet.
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“Pragg has done very, very well for a while now,” said Carlsen.
“I mean, he’s won three classical super tournaments this year, which is extremely impressive. The other kids, they have their ups and downs.
“Normally, you would think in such a format, Alireza would be very strong. He probably has not had the best start, but I’m sure he’ll be there.
“Gukesh is showing signs of improvement as well. It’s very hard to say who’s going to do well.
“But in terms of impressing me, well, that remains to be seen.”
Carlsen admitted after Round 1 that he was a bit rusty.
“I feel like it was a little bit shaky today, especially in time trouble. Of course, in the first game, nothing really happened. In the second, I managed to eke out a win somehow against Wesley.